FLINT, MICHIGAN – Sept. 12, 2024 – Flint’s reigning USBA Junior Middleweight Champion Ardreal Holmes Jr (16-0, 6 KOs) thrilled the hometown crowd and retained his crown for a second time by recording a 10-round unanimous decision (97-93 twice and 96-94) over Cuban Hugo Noriega (10-3, 5 KOs) Thursday on DAZN from the Dort Financial Center.
The co-feature and Great Lakes State battle saw Grand Rapids, Mich., native Joseph Hicks (11-0, 7 KOs) add to his perfect record by registering an eight-round unanimous decision over Detroit’s Ronnie Austion (10-3, 7 KOs). The judges scored the contest 80-72, 79-73, and 78-74.
In the second television bout, Da’Velle Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) of Detroit floored Esau Herrera De La Cruz (21-18-1, 8 KOs) seconds after the opening bell and recorded his seventh knockout in nine career bouts. After hitting the canvas a second time, De La Cruz was counted out at 1:08 of the fourth round.
Opening the highly anticipated main card, phenomenal Flint fighter Leon Lawson III (16-1, 9 KOs), cousin of Anthony and Andre Dirrell, destroyed Argentinian Luis Alberto Veron (20-9-2, 9 KOs) and earned his second straight TKO when the referee stopped the contest at 0:37 of the fourth round.
In preliminary action featuring ferocious Flint fisticuffs, local prospects Jaquan McElroy (third-round TKO over Lamar Bolden), Darrion Lawson (first-round KO of Isaiah Cobbs), and Christopher Thompson (first-round TKO over Eric Hadley) remained undefeated, while Deandre Savage fought to a no decision against KeShawn Jackson when the referee stopped the contest at 2:55 of round two after Jackson was hit while still on the canvas.
USBA JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE – 10 ROUNDS
Ardreal Holmes Jr. (16-0, 6 KOs) triumphed over Hugo Noriega (10-3, 5 KOs) via unanimous decision.
Scorecards: 97-93 twice and 96-94
“It’s a dream come true,” Holmes said. “To be able to share the card with my brother and fight in front of my hometown was amazing and I am ready to do it again. I fought a really tough guy in Noriega. Cuba has some of the best fighters in the world. I appreciate him coming out and bringing the intensity. It makes me that much better.”
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CO-FEATURE BOUT – 8 ROUNDS
Joseph Hicks (11-0, 7 KOs) defeated Ronnie Austion (10-3, 7 KOs) via unanimous decision
Scorecards: 80-72, 79-73, 78-74
MIDDLEWEIGHT MAIN CARD BOUT – 6 ROUNDS
Da’Velle Smith (9-0, 7 KOs) fourth-round KO (1:08) over Esau Herrera De La Cruz (21-18-1, 8 KOs)
“The atmosphere was great,” said Smith. “The fans definitely wanted to see me get him (De La Cruz) out of there and finish him. I expected to dominate in great fashion. I could have done better, and there are still things I need to tighten up. I haven’t fought in about seven months, so I thought I did pretty good.”
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT MAINCARD BOUT – 8 ROUNDS
Leon Lawson III (16-1, 9 KOs) stopped Luis Alberto Veron (20-9-2, 9 KOs) via fourth-round TKO (0:37).
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